Apparatus for determining blood pressure

Abstract

An apparatus for determining the blood pressure of a patient which allows the patient to first measure his measured blood pressure using a blood pressure measuring device and then, at a later time, estimate his current blood pressure using a blood pressure calculating device that includes a mathematical model for estimating blood pressure based on a current change in blood pressure induced by a heart beat and the previously measured blood pressure. The apparatus includes a transmitter device that detects the presence of a blood pressure calculating device connected to or in proximity of the blood pressure measuring device and transmits the previously measured blood pressure value to the blood pressure calculating device.

1 . An apparatus for determining blood pressure of a person, comprising:
 a blood pressure measuring device that measures a blood pressure value of a patient at a first time,   a storage device that stores the blood pressure value that is measured,   a blood pressure calculating device; and   a transmitter device that automatically detects presence of the blood pressure calculating device and transmits the blood pressure value that is measured and stored to the blood-pressure calculating device at a second time.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the blood pressure measuring device includes an inflatable cuff that restricts blood flow for measuring the blood pressure value. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the blood-pressure calculating device measures change in arterial blood induced by a heart beat, the blood pressure calculating device including a receiver that receives the blood pressure value that is measured and transmitted and a second storage device that stores the blood pressure value that is measured in the blood pressure calculating device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the blood pressure calculating device includes a plethysmograph that measures change in arterial blood volume induced by a heart beat. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the blood pressure calculating device further includes a processor that calculates blood pressure of the patient at a third time using a mathematical model that includes the change in arterial blood induced by a heart beat and the blood pressure value that is measured. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the blood pressure calculating device further includes a processor that determines pulse transit time of an arterial pressure wave induced by a heart beat at a third time, and that calculates blood pressure of the patient using a mathematical model that includes the pulse transmit time determined at the third time and the blood pressure value that is measured and calculated at the first time. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the blood pressure calculating device is a battery operated portable device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the blood pressure measuring device does not include a processor that uses a mathematical model or calculation that includes a change in arterial blood induced by heart beat and the blood pressure value that is measured. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein only the blood pressure value that is measured is transmitted between the blood pressure measuring device and the blood pressure calculating device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the blood pressure value that is measured consists of systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure.